GOP Lawmaker Requests Tax Extension Amid MNsure Form Delay

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Republican lawmaker is asking the Internal Revenue Service to give Minnesotans more time on tax returns due to the state's delay in sending out health coverage forms.

MNsure was supposed to deliver the tax forms proving health insurance coverage by Feb. 1. But health exchange officials said this week they had only delivered about half of the forms. MNsure spokesman Shane Delaney says more forms will go out later this week.

Those forms are critical for residents to avoid the health care law's penalty on the uninsured. Rep. Greg Davids sent a letter to the IRS Wednesday blasting MNsure's delays and requesting an automatic extension for people who haven't received them.

The IRS says residents shouldn't file taxes until they've received the forms. Tax returns are due April 15.